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UK tower accused of melting car to get sunshade

The Associated Press

Posted:
05/15/2014 08:11:14 AM MDT

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FILE - In this Thursday, Sept. 5, 2013 file photo, intense sunlight reflects down towards street level off the 37-storey skyscraper at 20 Fenchurch Street in the City of London. A London skyscraper which drew ire for having a glare so strong it melted nearby cars and shops will get a permanent fix. Developers say the tower, known as the Walkie-Talkie for its curved shape, is to have a sunshade attached to its south-facing facade to stop it from reflecting sun rays and beaming them in concentrated form to a nearby street. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)

LONDON (AP) — A London skyscraper that drew ire for having a glare so strong it melted nearby cars and shops will get a permanent fix.

Developers say the tower, known as the Walkie-Talkie for its curved shape, is to have a sunshade attached to its south-facing facade to stop it from reflecting sun rays and beaming them in concentrated form to a nearby street.

Last September the 37-story building made headlines when a Jaguar owner who parked his car at its foot complained that the solar glare melted part of the vehicle. Locals also said the heat blistered paintwork and burnt a hole in a floor mat.

Developers Land Securities and Canary Wharf said Thursday a permanent sunshade made of "horizontal aluminum fins" will solve the problem by absorbing and diffusing sunlight.